Tsumugi Tsukioka/Premonition of Blooming

The Language of Flowers for You

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Taichi	Ah! Homare-san! That last piece of tamagoyaki is mine, ssu!
Homare	I apologize for that. It was delicious.
	As an apology, I shall give you Mikage-kun’s marshmallows.
Taichi	I’m eating Japanese food for breakfast so I don’t want marshmallows, ssu!
Izumi	Good grief…
	Taichi-kun, I’ll give you my share if you’d like
Taichi	Eh?! Is it alright, Director-sensei?!
Izumi	Yes. I have to get ready soon too anyway.
Azuma	It’s still so early in the morning, are you going somewhere?
Izumi	Actually, I’m invited to a play by an acquaintance today.
	I’m going to watch it at noon but before that, I want to buy a bouquet first.
Tasuku	Speaking of which, isn’t Tsumugi going to see a play today too?
Tsumugi	Yes. It’s “Floating Blue Ship”.
Izumi	I’m seeing that one as well!
Tsumugi	Then, we’re the same. Mine is matinee as well.
Tasuku	What a coincidence.
Tsumugi	We might as well go together, what do you think, Director?
Izumi	Yes, I’d love to!
Saleswoman	Welcome.
Izumi	I’d like a bouquet for theatre, please.
Saleswoman	For a theatre, I see. Do you have any color requests?
Izumi	I’m not really familiar with flowers so I’ll leave it to you. Ah, but please make it as gorgeous as possible.
Saleswoman	Certainly.
	Please wait in the store with this number tag while your order is being made.
Izumi	Thank you.
	(Where is Tsumugi-san… Ah, there he is. Somehow, he looks so enthusiastic looking at the flowers.)
	Tsumugi-san. I apologize for making you wait.
Tsumugi	It’s fine. The truth is I’ve always wanted to visit this flower shop.
Izumi	Is that so?
Tsumugi	Yeah. But it’s hard to go in as a man alone without any business.
	That’s why I’m lucky that today I can go here together with Director.
Izumi	That reminds me, you like plants, don’t you, Tsumugi-san?
Tsumugi	Yes. I like the lush foliage, but I am also fascinated by the bright flowers.
	Even just looking at them like this makes me happy.
Izumi	Ah, would you happen to know the language of flowers then?
Tsumugi	I know quite well from my grandmother.
Izumi	Then… I have a question. What does this purple flower mean?
Tsumugi	That is anemone. It means “Fleeting Love”.
Izumi	That’s amazing, you didn’t even hesitate a bit. Then… How about this pink one?
Tsumugi	Kalanchoe. There are actually a few meanings, but my favorite is “I will protect you”.
Izumi	Hee, that’s pretty romantic.
Tsumugi	Flowers language is interesting. There are also flowers that change meanings when they’re given to other people.
	… Just like those snowdrops over there.
Izumi	It’s a cute white flower.
Tsumugi	Normally, it means “comfort” and “hope”.
Izumi	That’s nice. I think I would feel better if I were to receive it.
Tsumugi	But when given to other people, the meaning changes to “I hope you die”.
Izumi	Die?!
Tsumugi	It’s said that the meaning came from a local legend in England.
Izumi	That’s… scary. I have to be careful not to give it away accidentally.
	After all, I want flowers to be something that makes people happy when they receive them.
Tsumugi	I think so as well.
Izumi	It sure will double the excitement when receiving flowers if one is familiar with flowers like Tsumugi-san
Tsumugi	You don’t have to be familiar with it. Having a heart that tells you honestly how it feels is enough.
	Ah, that’s right.
	I think this flower looks good on you.
Izumi	How cute! It looks like frills. What kind of flowers is this?
Tsumugi	It’s white stock. It means—
	…
Izumi	Tsumugi-san?
Tsumugi	Well…
Saleswoman	Customer number 3, your bouquet is ready.
Izumi	Ah, I’m number 3.
Tsumugi	I-is that so? Then, let’s take our leave.
Izumi	(The meaning of stock, I wonder what it is?)

Izumi	As expected, it’s crowded. It’s a relief we get a good seat.
Tsumugi	I’m glad we came a little early.
Izumi	That reminds me, why did Tsumugi-san come to this play? Is it for studying?
Tsumugi	That’s one reason.
	But actually, a friend of mine from the student theatre is the main cast, so I had to sneak in.
Tsumugi	I was planning to go with Tasuku, but since it’s really popular, I could only get the tickets for different days.
Izumi	I see. Now that you said it, the seats are completely full.
Audience A	Hey, it looks like there’s going to be a surprise pre-show skit!
Audience B	I saw it! From the official tweet, right?!
Audience A	I wonder what kind of skit is it? I’m excited!
Tsumugi	Skit…
Announcer	Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for visiting us today.
Izumi	Ah, seems like it’s starting.
Announcer	As a token of appreciation for coming here in the middle of the day safely, please enjoy a special skit by the theatre company today.
Theatre company member A	Ah… No more, it’s painful…
	I was said to be a great rare youkai, but now that I’ve lost one of my eyes, I’m dying of hunger.
Theatre company member B	Ah… No more, it’s painful. She dumped me and now I’m broke!
Tsumugi	!
Theatre company member A	Ya ya? There’s a fat person over there.
	That’s it! I’ll disguise myself as a beautiful woman to tease him and then I’ll eat him!
Izumi	(A story about man-eating youkai and a human. How interesting)
Tsumugi	This skit…
Izumi	Did you say something, Tsumugi-san?
Tsumugi	… No. Never mind.
	…
Izumi	…?
Theatre company member A	Thank you very much!
	Well then, please enjoy the rest of the show!
Izumi	Although it was short, the tempo was good and the acting was bold and interesting.
	Maybe next time we—
Tsumugi	…
Izumi	Tsumugi-san?
Tsumugi	…
Izumi	Is there anything wrong?
Tsumugi	Ah… I apologize. This skit… I used to play it a bit long ago.
Izumi	(But why that expression…?)
CHOICE 1: Did you play it when you were a student? [+] Izumi Did you play it when you were a student? Tsumugi …Yeah. It was for an audition. Izumi So you were auditioning, huh. Tsumugi It was an old story. I was completely beaten. Izumi (…Somehow, I felt like he doesn’t want to be asked too many questions. Perhaps I asked unnecessary questions)
CHOICE 2: (Seems like it’s better to change the topic) [+] Izumi (Seems like it’s better to change the topic) I think it would be interesting to do a surprise prelude in MANKAI Company performance. Tsumugi Ah, that sounds fun. The audience would be pleased as well. …Although I’m not sure if I can do it well. Izumi (As I thought, Tsumugi-san is acting weird)
Izumi	The play was really interesting.
Tsumugi	Yeah, I couldn’t take my eyes off until the end.
	…
Izumi	(Hmm, he’s been like this ever since we saw the skit. It’s like he’s thinking about something…)
	(Perhaps I should stop talking about today’s stage. …Ah!)
	If I remember correctly, that flower is called stock, right?
Tsumugi	Eh?
Izumi	You know, the one outside the flower shop.
Tsumugi	Ah, that’s right. It’s white stock.
	The flower that looks good on Director.
Izumi	You still haven’t told me the meaning of the flowers yet, could you tell me what is it?
Tsumugi	Ah… Um… “Compassion”.
	And “Secret Love”.
Izumi	Secret… Love…
Tsumugi	Y-You’re wrong! I don’t have any intention…!
	It’s just because it’s a gorgeous but straightforward flower, that’s why I thought it’s similar to Director!
	Seriously, t-there’s no weird meanings behind it!
Izumi	(He becomes so flustered…)
	(But it’s a much better expression than before.)
Izumi	Ahaha.
Tsumugi	!?
Izumi	Sorry for laughing. But Tsumugi-san is too much in a hurry.
Tsumugi	That’s cruel of you… Laughing like that…
Izumi	Sorry. But that’s a wonderful flower language.
Tsumugi	…Um, that thing before, don’t you want to ask about it?
Izumi	That thing?
Tsumugi	I’ve been in a bad mood ever since we saw the skit. I apologize.
Izumi	(I knew something is up. …But I don’t want him to look like that again.)
	I won’t ask you for now.
Tsumugi	Eh…
Izumi	I’ll wait until Tsumugi-san wants to talk about it.
Tsumugi	Director…
	… Please wait here for a moment!
Izumi	Eh, Tsumugi-san?
Tsumugi	I’ll be back soon!
Izumi	(Ah… He went into the flower shop.)
Tsumugi	Sorry for making you wait.
Izumi	That flower…
Tsumugi	Stock… It’s just one flower, but please accept it.
Izumi	Is it alright?
Tsumugi	It’s my gratitude for all of your support.
Izumi	…Then, I shall accept it. Thank you very much.
Tsumugi	Ah, can you keep it a secret from everyone? Especially Masumi-kun.
Izumi	Ahaha, I understand. I’ll display it in my room secretly.
Tsumugi	I’ll teach you how to make it lives longer.
Izumi	I’ll be in your care!
Tsumugi	Yes. I’m glad that you’re happy with it.
Izumi	(For me, I’m glad that Tsumugi-san is smiling again.)

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